Police proceduralThe Rookieis one of several network TV series having their own panels at 2025’sSan Diego Comic-Con, and details coming out of the panel fromScreenRant’sown Rachel Foertsch indicate just why showrunner Alexi Hawley decided to take the series to Prague in the season 8 premiere.
The news of takingThe Rookie, a series focused on police officers in Los Angeles, California, to Prague in the Czech Republic came as a surprise to many fans of the show. Hawley, however, had a reason that contributed to his ambitious plans for the season 8 premiere of the series.
While on the SDCC panel,Hawley spoke about needing to “repilot a bit” asThe Rookieheaded into its eighth season. He told the panel audience:
I rolled into season 7 feeling like we needed to repilot a bit, which is kind of what that first episode is.
While Hawley did not “repilot” season 7, that’s when his feelings for a change to the show began.
What Hawley’s Explanation Means For The Rookie
Hawley Intends To Make Some Changes
Hawley’s words about repiloting indicate he is interested inThe Rookiestarting over, in a sense. While that would not mean wiping the slate entirely clean for an established procedural likeThe Rookie, it does meanHawley is interested in a creative reset for the show.
…it can, as Hawley suggests, “repilot” by opening the show with something that feels completely new to longtime fans.
Procedurals likeThe Rookiecan often end up in a creative rut or cyclical storylines, playing out variations of the same drama over and over. That’s due in large part to the popularity of procedurals and the fact that they often run for many years. Getting out of the cyclical nature of storylines often means finding a way to make the show fresh again.
The cast and the character relationships inThe Rookieare already popular, as are the cases of the week that the police officers in the show encounter. The series could not possibly completely reset, but it can, as Hawley suggests, “repilot” by opening the show with something that feels completely new to longtime fans.
The Rookieseason 8 will premiere on ABC in early 2026.
The season 8 premiere ofThe Rookiewill take some of the characters to Prague, and the series did film on location. Nathan Fillion previously likened the experience to filming a James Bond movie, which would be a very different tone for a series likeThe Rookie, but one that could certainly be fun for an episode.
Onlypart of the season 8 opener is set in Prague, however, with the rest of the episode returning to Los Angeles. That could be enough to “repilot” the season and send it in an intriguing new direction.
Our Take On Hawley’s “Repiloting” Of The Rookie
It’s An Exciting Step For The Series
TakingThe Rookieto Prague was already an exciting development for season 8. Add in Hawley’s comments about “repiloting,” and it sounds like the series could be employing some exciting new changes for the season.
It’s unlikely the series will stray far from its usual format, especially since uniformed police officers do not often have the chance to take on international investigations, but that does not mean the series couldn’t incorporate that idea into its fictional storytelling.
The Rookieseason 8 has a more long-term villain in the character of Monica (Bridget Regan), who returned at the end of season 7. Her far-reaching goals and schemes could definitely take the show on connected mysteries outside of Los Angeles. Taking the team to Prague, however briefly, could be part of her story arc.
Of course,The Rookieseason 7 also ended withOscar (Matthew Glave) escaping via helicopter. We could be in for a longer story arc involving the diamond-heisting villain as well. Either character has the potential to send the main characters onan international wild goose chase that would open up even more story possibilities.
The Prague repiloting, combined with the news thatLucy (Melissa O’Neil) will be going undercover again in season 8, meansThe Rookieis heading into one of its most exciting seasons yet.
